WA bushfire damages property

Date: February 04 2013

At least one home has been damaged by a bushfire burning out of control in Esperance on Western Australia's south coast.

In its latest alert at 5.35pm (WST), the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said a bushfire emergency warning applied to people between Eleven Mile Beach Road, Spencer Road and Keenan Road in Pink Lake.

Homes on Spencer Road were under threat, the DFES said, urging residents to act immediately to survive, saying there was a threat to lives and homes.

The bushfire is moving in a north easterly direction at 300 metres per hour.

Esperance shire president Malcolm Heasman said one property had suffered internal damage to its roof.

"And obviously there will be internal damage from water and one thing or another, but essentially, the house is standing," Mr Heasman told ABC radio.

"That's good news.

"It's the only one we've come across so far.

"There have been damaged outbuildings and loss of some machinery and what have you, but I must say it is a very bleak sight looking out over the undulating scrub."

Mr Heasman said Eleven Mille Beach Road, where the fire commenced, "looks like a devastation zone".

So far, about 500 hectares have burnt since the fire was reported around 12.30pm (WST).

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